Farmers who commit suicide are cowards, says Karnataka Agriculture Minister, draws flak
Bengaluru, Dec 3: Karnataka Agriculture Minister B C Patil on Thursday said the farmers who commit suicide are cowards.
"The farmers who commit suicide are cowards. Only a coward who can't take care of his wife and children commits suicide. When we have fallen (in the water), we have to swim and win," Patil said addressing farmers at Ponnampet in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
The Minister was explaining to bamboo growers of Ponnampet how profitable the agriculture business is, but some cowards do not realise that and commit suicide.
To buttress his point, Patil cited an example of a woman who was wearing gold bangles.
"When I enquired with her how her hands were full of gold bangles, You know what she said? She said, "This mother earth has given me for my 35 years of toil."
"Doesn't this please you all after listening to this?" Patil told the gathering.
He said when a woman who had depended herself entirely on agriculture and achieved big why other farmers cannot do it.
Reacting to this, Congress Karnataka unit spokesperson V S Ugrappa condemned the Minister's statement, saying he has shown disrespect to the farming community.
"It's a disrespect to the farmers. He should apologise for it," Ugrappa said here.
He said the Minister should have gone into the subject to find why some farmers commit suicide.
"No farmer wishes to end life. There are many reasons such as floods and droughts, which have not been understood and solved yet. Instead of understanding the gravity of the problem, the Minister gives such an irresponsible statement," Ugrappa said.
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Delhi govt to provide up to Rs 10 crore collateral-free loans to women startups, SHGs
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi government will provide collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 crore to women-led start ups and self help groups in the national capital, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday.
The government will also provide platforms in malls and large shopping complexes across the city to help indigenous products made by women self-help groups (SHGs) reach a wider market.
"We are working on a wider scale to make the women of the capital self-reliant, entrepreneurial, and economically empowered. Arrangements have been made for providing collateral-free loans up to Rs 10 crore to women self-help groups and startups," Gupta said in a statement.
She said the Delhi government itself would act as guarantor for such loans extended to women start ups and SHGs.
Addressing the inauguration of a two-day 'Mega Self Help Group (SHG) Mela-2026' organised in Rohini on Saturday, Gupta said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently promoted the vision of 'Vocal for Local', 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', and 'One District, One Product'.
She said the SHG Mela was an effort to promote indigenous products prepared by women and connect them with the wider market.
Around 24 self-help groups participated in fair, where handicrafts, crochet work, khadi, household products, food items, and other handmade products were exhibited and sold. Handicrafts under 'One District, One Product' initiative of North-West Delhi district were also showcased.
Gupta said that people often preferred foreign brands despite Indian handicrafts, khadi, household products, and handmade items being comparable in quality.
"The only requirement is better branding and marketing of these products," she said.
She appealed to people to use more local and indigenous products instead of foreign goods.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to conserve fuel, use public transport, and adopt indigenous products, Gupta said the Delhi government was also promoting campaigns such as 'Monday metro' and 'No Vehicle Day'.
"If people make small changes in their daily routine, it will directly benefit the country," she said.
